NEW DELHI: Indian cricket fans, angered by an attack by Pakistan-based militants on Indian forces in Kashmir, have urged India to boycott a World Cup match against Pakistan this summer. The Cricket Club of India (CCI), among the country's oldest clubs, and India star Harbhajan Singh also joined calls for the national team to stay away from the June 16 match in Britain, as Indians accused Pakistan of not doing enough to stop militants from operating on its soil. Veteran off-spinner Harbhajan said India were strong enough to win the World Cup even if they decide to forfeit the match against Pakistan in Manchester on June 16. "This is a difficult time. The attack that has happened, it was unbelievable and it's very wrong. Strict action will surely be taken by the government. When it comes to cricket, I don't think we should have any relations with them otherwise they will keep treating us like this," he told a channel.

India and Pakistan have not hosted a cricket series between their countries since 2013 due to political tensions. However, the national teams have faced each other in tournaments such as the 2017 Champions Trophy and 2018 Asia Cup held in neutral venues. The CCI said it supported a boycott of Pakistan at the World Cup. "Though CCI is a sporting association, nation comes first, even before sports," Suresh Bafna, its secretary, said on Monday. RCA PULLS DOWN PICTURESFollowing in the footsteps of Mumbai's CCI and Punjab Cricket Association (PCA), the Rajasthan Cricket Association on Monday removed pictures of a number of Pakistan players to record its protest against the terrorist attack.

"As directed by RCA president CP Joshi, pictures of Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammed Asif, Waqar Younis were removed from different parts of the stadium to show solidarity with the martyrs' families," RCA joint secretary Mahendra Nahar said. Coverage of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Twenty20 competition has been blacked out in India by event management company IMG Reliance, and Indian television channel D-Sport suspended coverage of the league. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) expressed "extreme disappointment" saying it would take up the incidents at the ICC committee meeting in Dubai later this month.